Multi-color adapted ball point pen



NOV. 29, 1966 N, P T

MULTI-COLOR ADAPTED BALL POINT PEN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14, 1964INVENTOR. MM 0 0 1966 N. PORITZ 3,288,116

MULTI-COLOR ADAPTED BALL POINT PEN Filed July 14, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2IA 7' I [III/1111111171 fax 1: 14/ fir M United States Patent 3,288,116MULTI-COLOR ADAPTED BALL POINT PEN Nathan Poritz, 236 E. 23rd St.,Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed July 14, 1964, Ser. No. 382,450 Claims. (Cl.120-421) This invention relates generally to a ball point pen and moreparticularly to a pen in which plural ball point ink tubes are housed,within the barrel of the pen, with means for projecting and retractingthe writing points into and out of writing position.

My prior invention, US, Patent 2,882,859, provided for a ball point penhaving a single cap plunger holding a plurality of ball point refills asspares and in which pen each of these spares was retained within thebarrel by extended arm means, said arm means being part of a. single capplunger.

However, in operation the use of the spares contained in the barrel isdelayed. required to stay in the barrel waiting until such time that theink of the writing ball point tube has been exhausted. Then,additionally, steps of removing the depleted tube and reassembly with aspare was required. Thus, there is an obstacle to immediate or quick useof the spare.

My present improvement for which patent protection is In general, beforeuse, they are sought consists mainly in separating the arm means and Icombining the said separated means together with but a single springcontained within the barrel so as to acquire the independent functioningof each ink tube, and to secure the immediate or quicker use of thespare or spares in the barrel without the replacement steps required inmy prior invention.

The method mainly used in this invention, briefly considered, comprisesthe cooperative use of a single element, a spring, and the principle ofjuxtaposition with respect to the holding parts. Explained in a littlemore detail this principle as used here requires placing the separatedarms or holding means in parallel arrangement or in diagonal oppositepositions with respect to each other or their placement in back to backarrangement. In this manner the corresponding multi-refills contained inthe pen are caused to operate separately from each other, in quicksuccession, and Without the disadvantage or need to remove them from thebarrel and further to continue operating in this manner until finalexhaustion of ink.

A primary object of the present invention consists in presenting a novelmeans of ball point construction which will enable easy and speedy useof separate tube writing, and which will reduce time and effort gettingthe writing points into position for writing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a form of ballpoint pen in which each of the points of the separate ink tubes isexposed at the opposite ends of the pen so that either end, say, one endred and the other blue in color, may, by a simple quick flick of thepen, be quickly used for separate color writing; and in which bothpoints simultaneously project and subsequently, simultaneously, bothpoints retract with but a single operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pen construction of theabove character having improved means for locking the pen in projectedwriting position and for positively maintaining the point againstaccidental release during the use of the pen in writing.

The aforesaid objects of the present invention, and other objects whichwill become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved byproviding a ball point pen comprising a barrel, said barrel having anaperture in the lower end thereof, an ink tube extending longitudinallywithin the barrel and having the lower ball point end located inregistry with the aperture at the lower end of said barrel, a slidablecap disposed at the upper end of said barrel, another ink tube extendingalongside of the first named ink tube and having its upper ball pointend located in registry with the aperture located in the upper end ofsaid slidable cap, said slidable cap longitudinally movable with respectto the upper end of the barrel wherein the downward movement of the capexposes the writing ball point of the second named ink tube through theaperture at the top end of the slidable cap and wherein it alsosimultaneously projects the writing ball point of the first named tubethrough the aperture at the bottom end of the barrel, said slidable capbeing provided with a member for the support of the first named ink tubesubstantially in vertical arrangement, and means for limiting the upwardmovement of the said slidable cap and for releasably locking the cap inand from the position of projection and retraction, said slidable capextending outwardly of the barrel capable of receiving finger pressurethereby projecting the ball points through their respective apertures.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of several preferred embodiments of the invention,reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a ball point penembodying one form of my invention, the writing ball points being shownin retracted position,

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same pen as inFIGURE 1 but with the writing ball point being shown in projectedposition,

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view of the upper barrel showinganother form of shoulder support for a wide spring,

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view of a shoulder support for a widespring formed by two barrel sections,

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of a cap structure showing an armdepending therefrom,

FIGURE 5A is a perspective view of a disc unit with an upstanding armand sleeve,

FIGURE 6 is a cut away perspective view of the upper barrel and cap unitwith integral arm,

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the lower barrelwith integral upstanding arm,

FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view on line 88 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view on line 9-9 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of cap unit showing disc joined at thebottom of the cap,

FIGURE 10A is a perspective view of the upper barrel showing upper andlower aligned holes,

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of cap structure showing bayonet slotcomponent,

FIGURE 11A is a perspective view of upper barrel cut away to showpinlike indentation projecting therefrom inwardly,

FIGURE 12 is a spread perspective view of the modified cap structureclip and ring unit,

FIGURE 13, is :a perspective view of a modified clip and ring unitshowing a bayonet slot,

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a cap unit with indentationprojecting inwardly threfrom, and

FIGURE 15 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a modified ballpoint pen.

Referring in detail to the drawings as shown in-FIG- URES 1 and 2, aball point pen embodying one form of the invention is shown anddesignated at 1. The pen 1 comprises, generally, a sectional barrel 2including an upper longitudinal section 2A and a lower longitudinalsection 2B; the said lower section 2B being tapered as indicated by thereference numeral 3 and is provided at its tip with an aperture 4 forretraction and projection of the writing point 5 of the lower ink tubeT-l. In

the upper section of the barrel 2A the wall thickness 2A at the top ofthe section 2A is of lesser dimension than that of the remaining portion2 of the upper section 2A of the barrel. Hence, the inside diameter ofthe bore, indicated by the :reference numeral 6, is nec essarily greaterin dimension than the bore of the remaining barrel, indicated generallyby the reference numeral 6A.

The object of this type of barrel construction with reference to thedifference in wall thickness is (a) to form a shoulder, shown in thisdrawing at 7, the purpose of which is to provide a support for a widespring 8 to rest upon or react against, and also, (b) to provide theaddition al physical space within the upper barrel for occupancy andmovement by the said wide spring 8, also (c) to take in considerationthe amount of barrel space required by the adjacent multi-tubularrefills contained within the spring. It should be noted however that theinvention may operate without the use of the spring 8 and this willbecome apparent as the description proceeds.

Other ways to provide for a shoulder to support a wide spring within thebarrel are illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. In FIGURE 3 a shoulder 7c isprovided within the upper barrel, the wall of which is of uniformthickness, by means of a ring 9 which is inserted and tightly fittedinto said barrel or formed as part of said upper barrel. The Wide spring8 then rests upon the said shoulder 70, in the same snug manner :asshown in the shoulder 7 of FIGURES 1 and 2. In FIGURE 4 the longitudinalsectional barrel 2 has at least two parts, the lower one of which 2B isinserted and fitted tightly into an upper barrel section 2A. In thisconstruction the top of the barrel wall of the lower section 23 forms ashoulder 7D on which the wide spring 8 rests, in the same manner as inthe FIGURES 1, 2 and 3.

Referring now to the upper and lower barrel sections 2A and 2B of FIGURE1, these may be either fitted together or threadedly connected. In thedrawing threaded connection 10 permits separation when necessary toreplace the used up ink tubes.

Metal or plastic or other suitable substitute material may be used toconstruct the barrel.

Generally closing the opposite or upper end ofthe barrel and forming aslidable extension thereof is a tubular cap unit 11. With respect,specifically to the exact type of cap structure used, cap structure 11A,as shown in FIGURE 1 is tapered, shown as 3A, and contains an aperture4A at its top end through which the ball point A of refill T2 projectsand retracts.

A clip v12 of metal or otherwise, is fastened to the upper end of thebarrel section. Disposed inside the barrel are multi-ink tubes, T-1 andT-2; each of conventional size and material and optionally formed minusabutments as ordinarily required on ink tubes.

Each of these cartridges T-1 and T-2 may be provided with venting means(not shown) to promote the proper flow of ink, as is well known to thoseskilled in the art.

Tube T-l comprises a hollow cylinder 13 containing a supply of plasticink and at its writing end is provided with a 'ball point 5. In FIGURE1, said ball point 5 is shown in retracted position within the aperture4 of the tapered end 3 of the lower barrel section 2B. In FIGURE 2 theball point 5 is shown in its projected position extending beyond theaperture 4.

Referring again to the coil spring 8, located in the upper part of thebarrel 1B and supported by the shoulder 7, said coil spring functions toyieldingly support the overlying cap structure 11A which is slidablewithin the top portion 2A of the barrel section 2A. The basic springaction may be described as follows. The top portion of the wide spring 8and the bottom part of the said slidable cap structure 11A maintainconstant contact at all times so that a downward force exerted upon thecap structure 11A is transferred to the spring 8 resulting in thecompression of said spring into a reduced space as shown in FIGURE 2.Subsequent release of said compression force in the spring results inexpansion of the said spring 8 compelling an upward movement of the capstructure 11A taking with it tube T-1 which is joined suitably to saidcap 11A. For the purpose of making the connection of tube to cap, aperforated disc unit 14-'also shown in perspective in FIGURE5-compr-ising a disc 14a, a central hole or sleeve 15, an extending arm16 is fastened to the bottom of the tubular structure 11A. Said arm 16depends from the under surface of the disc 14a and extends into the openend of tube T1 thereby frictionally supporting said tube. The armextension, however, may be formed as an integral part of the cap, asindicated at 16A of FIGURE 6.

Another similar disc unit 14', shown in perspective in FIGURE 5A,includes a disc 14a, central hole or sleeve 15', and an upstanding arm16. The disc 14' may be seated fixedly on the shoulder 7B formed on theinner surface of the lower barrel 28 adjacent the threaded barrelconnection 10. Generally, the said disc unit 14 is secured to the lowerbarrel 2B by a tight fit or by adhesive or any other suitable means. InFIGURE 1 clamping down the disc 14' against the shoulder 7B is themethod selected, the disc 14 is dropped onto the shoulder 7B of thebarrel 2B and subsequently clamped down into a fixed immoveable positionby the bottom part of the threaded portion 10 of the upper barrel 2A.

Alternatively, the upstanding arm 16', may be formed as an integral partof the lower barrel section 2B as indicated at 16B in FIGURE 7.

A second ink tube T-2 is disposed in a side by side, substantiallycontiguous relation, along side the ink tube T-1. Said ink tube T-2 isfrictionally joined to disc 14 by means of the upstanding arm extension16'. This union of arm 16' and tube T-2 accomplishes two things-( 1) thearm tightly grips the open end of the tube T-2 firmly retaining it andwith direct finger pressure applied against it, yieldingly releases thetube T-2, (2) correspondingly, by virtue of its hold the arm 16' pointsthe writing end 5A of the tube T-2 in a direction directly opposite tothat of the writing end 5 of tube T-1.

The upper part of tube T-2 passes through the central hole 15 of disc 14and then upwardly through the central bore 17 of the cap unit 11A endingup with the writing ball point 5A normally positioned just inside theaperture end 4A of the cap 3A.

The cap 11A contains a spring finger 18, which is also shown in aperspective View in FIGURE 10. This spring finger 18 is formed by twoparallel longitudinal slits 20, 20' intersect-ing at right angles athird slit or lower edge 20". Said spring finger 18 contains a shortprotuberance 19 radiating from the bottom free end thereof. Theprotuberance 19 is tapered downwardly and upwardly to coact with anupper pair of aligned holes, 21 and 22 located close to the top of thebarrel section 2A. Perspectiveidrawings, FIGURE 10 and FIGURE 10A alsoshow this. These drawings illustrate the type of cap that is slidablewithin the barrel. In other alternative cap forms, as shown in FIGURES12 and 14, the cap structure may be slidable outside of the barrel.

Normally the cap structure 11A extends outwardly of the barrel with theprotuberance 19 on the spring finger 18 engaged in the upper hole 21 ofthe barrel 2A. The writing ball points 5 and 5A are then in retractioninside the tapered end 3A of the cap structure 11A. In order to projectthe writing potint, the cap structure 11A is manually presseddownwardlythereby forcing the ink tube T-l downward by reason of itsconnection with the disc unit 14. The ink tube T-1 continues in thedownward direction until the protuberance 19 on the spring finger 18snaps into the lower aligned hole 22 of the barrel section 2A, at whichtime the writing ball point 5 is then outside of the barrel and inwriting position as shown in FIGURE 2.

At the same time as downward pressure on the slid-able cap structurecarries the cap further downward within the barrel, the cap positionwithin the 'barrel changes from that in FIGURE 1 to that of FIGURE 2.This results in the clearance and exposure of the upper writing ballpoint 5A of tube T-2, and thus both writing points 5 and 5A, at bothends, simultaneously, are outside of the barrel in ready writingposition.

In order to retract the parts it is merely necessary to release thespring pressure. This is quickly accomplished by pressing theproturberance button 19 located now in the locked position of alignedhole 22.

In FIGURE 11 is illustrated another modification 11B,

with respect to cap structures in that another means besides a springfinger plus protuberance is provided for locking the cap structureagainst projection and retraction and for releasing said cap altogetherfrom the barrel. Said slid-able cap 11B may be adapted for slidablemovement within the top part of the upper barrel section 2A and isprovided with a bayonet slot, designated generally as 24. This comprisesthree sections, 24A, 24B, and 24C. Intersecting the bottom edge of capstructure 11B, slot 24A continues diagonally upward curvilinearly aroundand enters slot 240 located at the end of the turn. Rounding out the endslot 24C is a notch 24D. Located midway is slot 24B which dropsvertically down ending in a hooked shaped notch 24E; the purpose ofproviding notches at the end of the slot being to maintain, securely theprojection 25 within the slot.

In order to engage cap and barrel the cap is placed slidably within thebarrel 2A then turned until slot 24A engages the fixed projecting means,the pin or pinlike indentation 25 located on the barrel and extendinginward beyond the inside wall of the upper barrel section 2A. Continueddownward finger pressure on cap 11B against the spring 8A spins the saidcap around guidingly until the identation 25 engages slot 24C and notch24E at the end of central slot 24A and locks against spring pressure. Inthis-part of the action, downward pressure of cap 11B against the spring8A results in compressing the spring into a smaller space and acorresponding further movement of the cap downward within the barrelinto the vacated space. By reason of the arm joined to the cap the lowertube T-1 also moves down into projection.

To retract the pen within the barrel a slight reverse turn of the capbrings indentation 25 directly over the slot 24B at this point theexpansion force in the spring acting now against the cap 11B pushes thecap upward bringing indentation 25 into slot 24B where the notch 24Dengages the barrel indentation 25 and keeps the cap 11B locked inretraction.

To release the pen altogether from the barrel for refill requirement, aslight push down on the cap brings the indentation 25 into slot 24A andcontinued turning in the reverse direction releases the cap altogetherfrom the barrel.

In FIGURE 15 the use of adhesive tape as a substitute for arm means inthe barrel for holding ink tubes is illustrated. In the pen shown, thebarrel comprises a single hollow casing 2D with upper and lower alignedholes 21 and 22, respectively, at the top end thereof. A tubular member11E is slidably mounted within the barrel, at the top thereof extendingoutwardly of the barrel. The tubular member 11B is formed with anexternally threaded neck 11E-2 and with a spring finger and protuberance19 carried on the bottom free end of the spring finger, shown inprojected position in the lower aligned hole 22 in the barrel. Aninternally threaded tapered cap 11E1 is screwed onto the top end of theneck 11E-2. Disc 14a is fastened to the bottom of section 11E-3 of thecap 11E and depending downward from the disc 14a arm 16 extends withinthe top opening of tube T-3. Inside the barrel tube T-3 and T4 aredisposed side by side in substantially vertical arrangement centrally ofthe barrel and are held together by a strip of adhesive tape ativeposition.

29 encircled therearound. Tube T-3 is disposed with its ball point 5projecting through the aperture 4 at the bottom end of the barrel, andtube T-4 has its ball point 5A projecting within the aperture 4A at thetop of cap 11E-1.

In use cap 11E-1 is screwed down along the neck 11E 2 until therestricted top end thereof contacts the top end of ink tube T-4. Thisdownward movement of the cap exposes the ball point 5A of ink tube T-4and continued downward movement forces ink tube T-4 downwardly. Ink tubeT-3, which is connected to ink tube T4 by means of tape 29, thus iscarried along and the ball point 5 of tube T-3 is moved into projectedposition outside of the barrel. Both ball points are now in writingposition. Manual downward pressure on the tubular member 11E-1 havingmoved the protuberance 19 out of hole 21 into hole 22 holds the tubes inoper- When pressure on the top end of T-4 is released by the upwardmovement of the cap 11E1 which occurs when finger pressure is applied tothe protuberance 19 in hole 22, the coil spring 8A retracts the parts toinoperative position.

We have hitherto illustrated forms of the invention in which a singlespring in the barrel is combined with means for holding multi-ink tubesfor operative function where the said means are located in differentparts of the barrel.

In FIGURE 1 and others the holding means are arranged in positions thatare diagonally opposite to each other with the corresponding tubespointing in opposite directions.

In FIGURE 1 the separated arms holding tubes T-1 and T-2, designated as16 and 16 are located in the barrel in diagonally opposite positionsthus pointing both tubes in opposite directions.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects ofthe present invention have been achieved by providing a pen which maysimultaneously project and/ or retract two writing points, one from eachend of a barrel and this may be accomplished with or without an internalspring.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise construction herein disclosed and that various changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A ball point pen comprising a hollow barrel having an aperture in itslower end, a first ink tube disposed within said hollow barrel beingprovided with a lower ball point, said lower ball point being disposedin registry with said aperture in the lower end of said hollow barrel, amoveable cap having an aperture in its upper end disposed on the upperend of said hollow barrel, a second ink tube disposed within said hollowbarrel and alongside said first ink tube being provided with an upperball point, said upper ball point of said second ink tube being inregistery with the aperture in said moveable cap, said moveable capbeing longitudinally moveable on said barrel whereby the downwardmovement of the cap exposes the upper ball point of said second ink tubethrough the aperture in the upper end of said moveable cap and themovement of said moveable cap further projects the lower ball point endof said first ink tube through the aperture in the lower end of saidhollow barrel, at least one member disposed within said hollow barrelfor holding at least one of said ink tubes longitudinally within saidhollow barrel, and means disposed on said moveable cap for rele-asablylocking said moveable cap in and from the positions of projection andretraction of the ball points through the apertures.

2. A ball point pen according to claim 1 wherein said at least onemember comprises a disc unit.

3. A ball .point pen according to claim 2 wherein said moveable capcommunicates with at least one of said disc units for simultaneouslyprojecting said upper and lower ball points through their respectiveapertures.

4. A ball point pen according to claim 3 wherein said disc unit isprovided with an arm for connection to at least one of said first andsecond ink tubes.

'5. A ball point pen according to claim 4 wherein an upper disc unit isdisposed in the upper portion of said hollow barrel and is connected tosaid first ink tube, and a lower disc unit is disposed in the lowerportion of said barrel and is connected to said second ink tube.

6. A ball point pen according to claim 5 wherein said moveable cap isadapted to slide within the upper end of said hollow barrel,.saidmoveable cap being provided with a protuberance for releasable insertioninto a pair of aligned holes provided in said hollow barrel forreleasably locking said moveable cap in and from the positions ofprojection and retraction of the ball point through the apertures.

7. A ball point pen according to claim 6 wherein said moveable cap isdisposed above said upper disc unit, said hollow barrel being providedwith an internal shoulder, a spring disposed between said upper discunit and said shoulder whereby the downward movement of said moveablecap will simultaneously project said first and second ink tube ballpoints through their respective apertures.

8. A ball point pen according to claim 1 wherein said moveable cap isthreadedly mounted on the upper end of said hollow barrel.

9; A ball point pen according to claim 8 wherein said at least onemember comprises a disc unit.

10. A ball point pen according to claim 8 wherein said moveable cap isthreadedly mounted on the upper end of said hollow barrel incommunication with one of said first and second ink tubes, said moveablecap when threaded downwardly projects said upper ball point of saidsecond ink tube through said aperture in said moveable cap and furtherdownward threading of said moveable cap thereafter causes said lowerball point to be projected through said aperture in the lower end ofsaid hollow barrel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,603,186 7/1952Fischer l2042.03 3,079,894 3/1963 Johmann 12042.1 3,143,101 8/1964Heohtle 12(l42.13 3,158,138 11/1964 Bross 12042.13 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 971,843 8/1950 France.

1,091,233 10/1954 France. 1,216,481 11/1959 France.

783,208 9/1957 Great Britain.

542,058 2/ 1-955 Italy.

568,454 10/ 1957 Italy.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner.

1. A BALL POINT PEN COMPRISING A HOLLOW BARREL HAVING AN APERTURE IN ITS LOWER END, A FIRST INK TUBE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID HOLLOW BARREL BEING PROVIDED WITH A LOWER BALL POINT, SAID LOWER BALL POINT BEING DISPOSED IN REGISTRY WITH SAID APERTURE IN THE LOWER END OF SAID HOLLOW BARREL, A MOVEABLE CAP HAVING AN APERTURE IN ITS UPPER END DISPOSED ON THE UPPER END OF SAID HOLLOW BARREL, A SECOND INK TUBE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID HOLLOW BARREL AND ALONGSIDE SAID FIRST INK TUBE BEING PROVIDED WITH AN UPPER BALL POINT, SAID UPPER BALL POINT OF SAID SECOND INK TUBE BEING IN REGISTERY WITH THE APERTURE IN SAID MOVEABLE ON SAID SAID MOVEABLE CAP WITH THE APERTURE IN SAID MOVEABLE CAP, BARREL WHEREBY THE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE CAP EXPOSES THE UPPER BALL POINT OF SAID SECOND INK TUBE THROUGH THE APERTURE IN THE UPPER END OF SAID MOVEABLE CAP AND THE MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVEABLE CAP FURTHER PROJECTS THE LOWER BALL POINT END OF SAID FIRST INK TUBE THROUGH THE APERTURE IN THE LOWER END OF SAID HOLLOW BARREL, AT LEAST ONE MEMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID HOLLOW BARREL FOR HOLDING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID INK TUBES LONGITUDINALLY WITHIN SAID HOLLOW BARREL, AND MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID MOVEABLE CAP FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID MOVEABLE CAP IN AND FROM THE POSITIONS OF PROJECTION AND RETRACTION OF THE BALL POINTS THROUGH THE APERTURES. 